Charles Leclerc breathed a sigh of relief after clinching third place at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix, fending off a late charge from his Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton at Spa-Francorchamps.
The Monegasque driver started on pole but slipped back during the race, battling tyre wear that left him vulnerable in the closing stages. Hamilton, pushing hard on fresher rubber, closed the gap rapidly, but Leclerc managed to keep him at bay by just over a second at the flag.
“I’m pleased with the podium,” Leclerc said post-race. “It wasn’t easy – the tyres were dropping off, and Lewis was right there, putting on the pressure. We had to manage everything carefully, but holding position against a teammate like him feels good.”
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur praised the duo’s clean racing, noting it showcased the team’s strength amid a tight battle with Red Bull and McLaren. Max Verstappen took the win for Red Bull, with Oscar Piastri second for McLaren, extending his championship lead.
Leclerc’s result moves him up in the standings, now sitting third behind Verstappen and Piastri, as the season heads to the summer break. Hamilton, in his first year with Ferrari, sits fourth after a solid drive from sixth on the grid.
